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‘Mass casualty event’ declared as tornadoes hit Kentucky and Missouri

‘Mass casualty event’ declared as tornadoes hit Kentucky and Missouri
‘Mass casualty event’ declared as tornadoes hit Kentucky and Missouri


At least 23 people have died after tornadoes hit two US states, according to local officials.

Fourteen people have died in Kentucky, its governor Andy Beshear said, while seven have died in Missouri and two in northern Virginia.

The weather system also saw tornadoes tear through Wisconsin, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power.

In the city of St Louis, five people were confirmed dead and more than 5,000 homes were damaged, mayor Cara Spencer said on Saturday.

The storm system originally hit Scott County, 130 miles south of St Louis, on Friday, killing two people, Sheriff Derick Wheetley said.

The devastation that ensued saw roofs torn off buildings, blown-out windows, toppled trees, and power lines.

A house completely collapsed in St Louis, Missouri on Friday. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A house completely collapsed in St Louis, Missouri on Friday. Pic: Reuters

Map showing location of tornadoes which have swept across the Midwest leaving at least 21 dead, inc Missouri and Kentucky
Image:
A map of the most impacted areas

St Louis mayor Cara Spencer said: “Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous.”

Dozens of people are believed to have been injured and in hospital, but the exact numbers in Missouri have not been confirmed.

Kentucky officials described the situation there as a “mass casualty event” after the weather system tore across Laurel County late on Friday.

The side of a house is seen ripped off by storms in St Louis, Missouri. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The side of a house ripped off by storms in St Louis, Missouri. Pic: Reuters

Several people were taken to hospital, buildings were damaged, and a car flipped over on a busy highway, local officials reported.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Gilbert Acciardo said rescuers had “been on the ground all night looking for possible survivors”.

Kentucky governor Mr Beshear wrote on X that the number of dead in the state was likely to increase from 14 “as we receive more information”.

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People sit outside their destroyed homes in St Louis, Missouri late on Friday. Pic: Reuters
Image:
People sit outside their destroyed homes in St Louis, Missouri late on Friday. Pic: Reuters

Further devastation expected in other states

The National Weather Service warned of further devastation hitting Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma on Saturday.

“Severe thunderstorms producing large to very large hail, damaging gusts, and a couple of tornadoes are expected across the southern Plains,” it said on its website.

The Midwest tornadoes were also expected to hit Illinois, eventually stretching to New Jersey and the Atlantic coast.



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